call

call — 動詞

1. to choose a name for someone or something and use that name when speaking to or

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

取名；稱呼

給人或事物命名

to choose a name for someone or something and use that name when speaking to or about them

例句

Eri's parents called her Eri after her grandmother, who had passed away the year before.

Eri 的父母以她祖母的名字為她取名 Eri，而祖母在前一年過世了。

call + object + after + name (naming after someone)

Scientists called the newly discovered planet after the famous astronomer who first predicted its existence.

科學家以最早預測其存在的知名天文學家，為這顆新發現的行星命名。

passive construction: be called + after

同義詞
  • name

    more formal; often used in official contexts ('the president named her as the new director')

  • christen

    used especially for naming a baby or a ship, often in a ceremony

  • label

    can sound more negative or clinical; used for putting things into categories

  • dub

    informal or humorous; suggests a nickname or media-given name

文法句型

call + object + name

call + object + after + someone

用法筆記

Frequently used in the pattern verb + object + complement where the complement names the person or thing. When explaining who someone was named after, use 'after' (British) or 'for' (American): 'She was called Olivia after her aunt.'

常見錯誤

❌I called him as John.
✅I called him John.
💡No preposition 'as' follows 'call' when giving a name.

2. to use insulting words when speaking to someone, especially about their appearan

2.動詞C2
釋義

辱罵

用侮辱性字眼稱呼他人

to use insulting words when speaking to someone, especially about their appearance, background, or abilities

例句

Asher got into trouble for calling his classmate names during the lunch break.

Asher 因為在午餐時間辱罵同學而惹上麻煩。

fixed expression: call + someone + names

The teacher explained that calling each other names can cause lasting emotional harm to children.

老師解釋說，互相辱罵會對兒童造成長期的情感傷害。

reciprocal: call + each other + names

同義詞
  • insult

    more general and formal; can refer to words or actions ('he insulted the referee')

  • abuse verbally

    stronger and more serious; suggests prolonged or harsh treatment

反義詞
  • praise

    to express approval or admiration for someone

  • compliment

    to say something nice about someone's appearance or qualities

文法句型

call + someone + names

用法筆記

Always used in the fixed expression 'call someone names' — the word 'names' is plural and no determiner (a, the, some) appears before it. The expression refers to a pattern of insulting behavior, not a single comment.

常見錯誤

❌He called his brother a name.
✅He called his brother names.
💡The expression always uses the plural 'names' even for a single insult.

3. to contact someone by telephone in order to have a conversation with them

3.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

打電話

使用電話與人交談

to contact someone by telephone in order to have a conversation with them

例句

Ada calls her mother every evening to say goodnight before she goes to sleep.

Ada 每天晚上睡覺前都會打電話給母親說晚安。

call + object + every [time period] (routine)

The dentist's office called Zayd to remind him about his appointment next Tuesday.

牙醫診所打電話給 Zayd，提醒他下週二的約診。

call + object + to + infinitive (purpose)

同義詞
  • phone

    slightly more formal; interchangeable with 'call' in this sense

  • ring

    chiefly British; informal ('I'll ring you tomorrow')

  • dial

    focuses on the action of pressing numbers, less common in everyday speech

  • telephone

    more formal than 'call' or 'phone'

文法句型

call + someone

call + someone + at + number

call + to + infinitive

常見錯誤

❌I called to him on the phone.
✅I called him on the phone.
💡When referring to a phone call, 'call' takes the person as a direct object without 'to'.

4. to call someone using a service where the person who answers the telephone pays

4.動詞
釋義

對方付費

撥打由接聽方付費的電話

to call someone using a service where the person who answers the telephone pays the charges

例句

When Amira studied abroad, she would call collect to avoid expensive international phone bills.

Amira 在國外留學時，常常打對方付費電話，以避免昂貴的國際電話費。

adverb position: call + collect

The soldier called collect from the military base to speak with his worried mother.

那名士兵從軍事基地打對方付費電話，跟擔心的母親說話。

同義詞

文法句型

call + collect

用法筆記

This expression is becoming less common with the rise of mobile phones and affordable international calling plans. In British English, the equivalent phrase is 'reverse the charges.'

5. to have a particular opinion about someone or something, or to describe them in

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

稱為；視為

以某種方式描述或評價

to have a particular opinion about someone or something, or to describe them in a certain way — for example, calling a decision unfair, or calling a city the best place to live

例句

Many people call New York City the Big Apple because of its energy and size.

很多人稱紐約市為「大蘋果」，因為它的活力與龐大規模。

passive-like: be called + nickname (popular opinion)

Paul called his neighbor's actions both brave and thoughtful after the fire.

Paul 稱他鄰居在火災後的舉動既勇敢又體貼。

call + object + adjective complement

同義詞
  • consider

    more formal; focuses on careful thought ('I consider her the best candidate')

  • regard as

    takes the preposition 'as'; slightly more formal ('He is regarded as an expert')

  • describe as

    focuses on the words used rather than the opinion itself

  • deem

    formal; often used in official or legal contexts ('The proposal was deemed unacceptable')

文法句型

call + object + noun

call + object + adjective

be + called + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (GIVE NAME): sense 1 gives an actual name to someone or something; sense 5 expresses an opinion or judgment. For example, 'I called him a friend' (sense 5 — I consider him a friend) versus 'I called him David' (sense 1 — David is his name).

常見錯誤

❌I called him as a hero.
✅I called him a hero.
💡'Call' in this sense does not take 'as'. Use 'regard as' or 'see as' if you need a preposition.

6. to feel that something rightfully belongs to you, especially after working hard

6.動詞及物C1
釋義

視為己有

認為某事物屬於自己

to feel that something rightfully belongs to you, especially after working hard for it or waiting a long time

例句

After ten years of hard work, Joaquín could finally call the restaurant his own.

經過十年的努力，Joaquín 終於可以將這家餐廳視為己有。

pattern: call + object + possessive + own (achievement)

The old house was abandoned so long that no one could call it their own.

那棟老房子被遺棄了那麼久，沒有人能把它當作自己的。

negative: no one + could call + object + possessive + own

同義詞
  • claim

    more direct; can be used without the possessive construction ('She claimed the prize')

  • possess

    formal; focuses on ownership rather than the effort to obtain

反義詞
  • lose

    to no longer have something that belonged to you

  • give up

    to stop trying to keep something

文法句型

call + object + possessive + own

用法筆記

Almost always appears with a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) followed by the word 'own'. The object being claimed comes between 'call' and the possessive. This is a fixed expression and rarely appears in other syntactic forms.

7. to use a very loud voice so that someone at a distance can hear what you say, or

7.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

喊叫；鳴叫

大聲說話以引起注意；動物發出叫聲

to use a very loud voice so that someone at a distance can hear what you say, or to make the natural sound that a bird or other animal typically makes.

例句

Christopher called across the busy street to catch the attention of his cousin.

Christopher 在繁忙的街道對面大聲呼喊，想引起表弟的注意。

The old woman called for help when she slipped on the wet kitchen floor.

那位老婦人在潮濕的廚房地板上滑倒時大聲呼救。

call + for + help/assistance

同義詞
  • shout

    more general, does not imply attracting attention or animal sounds

  • cry out

    more emotional, suggests pain, fear, or surprise

  • yell

    informal, usually expresses anger or excitement

反義詞

文法句型

call + to + person

call + out + speech

call + for + help/assistance

用法筆記

Also used for animal cries — a bird calls, a wolf calls, but a dog barks and a cat meows. The direct speech pattern ("…" called [person]) is the most common in narrative writing.

常見錯誤

❌He called to her voice.
✅He called to her.
💡'call to someone' means you shout so they hear you; it doesn't take 'voice' as an object.

8. to tell everyone present at a formal gathering that they must become quiet so th

8.動詞及物B2
釋義

要求肅靜

在正式會議中請大家安靜以便開會

to tell everyone present at a formal gathering that they must become quiet so the proceedings can officially begin or resume.

例句

The committee chair called the monthly board meeting to order at exactly ten o'clock.

委員會主席在十點整準時宣布召開每月董事會議。

call + [meeting] + to order

Judge Ignacio called the courtroom to order before the witness could testify.

Ignacio 法官在證人作證前要求法庭內保持安靜。

同義詞
  • bring to order

    slightly less common, same meaning

  • gavel

    very specific — to use a small hammer to call a meeting to order

文法句型

call + noun + to order

call + for + order

用法筆記

Most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'call [meeting/group] to order.' The person doing the calling is typically the chairperson, judge, or presiding officer. Less formal alternatives include 'quiet down' or 'settle down.'

常見錯誤

❌The chairman called to order the meeting.
✅The chairman called the meeting to order.
💡the meeting object must come between 'call' and 'to order.'

9. in American football, basketball, and similar team sports, to announce which pla

9.動詞及物B2
釋義

指示戰術

在運動比賽中宣布下一波進攻戰術

in American football, basketball, and similar team sports, to announce which play or move the team should execute next.

例句

The quarterback called an audible at the line after spotting a gap in the defence.

四分衛在看到防守陣容出現空隙後，在攻防線臨時改變戰術。

call + an audible (specific football term)

Coach Reuben called a timeout with only thirty seconds left on the clock.

Reuben 教練在比賽只剩三十秒時喊了暫停。

同義詞
  • signal

    can be non-verbal (hand gestures), whereas call is always spoken

文法句型

call + a/the + play/routes/timeout

用法筆記

Primarily used in American team sports. In American football, the quarterback calls the play in the huddle or changes it at the line (audible). In basketball, the point guard typically calls plays.

10. to deliver a running description of a live sporting contest for people who are l

10.動詞及物B2
釋義

播報；轉播

在廣播或電視上即時描述比賽進行情況

to deliver a running description of a live sporting contest for people who are listening on the radio or watching on television.

例句

Elise called the championship match live for the national sports radio station.

Élise 在國家體育廣播電台現場播報了冠軍賽。

My grandfather loves listening to baseball games called on the old radio.

我祖父喜歡用那台老收音機聽棒球轉播。

passive: be called (game)

同義詞
  • announce

    broader — can mean making any public announcement, not just sports commentary

  • commentate

    more formal, specifically means providing expert analysis during a broadcast

文法句型

call + a/the + game/match/race

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 9 (CALL PLAYS): sense 9 is about deciding what the team should do next, while this sense is about narrating the action for an audience. The person who calls a game is a commentator or announcer, not a player or coach.

常見錯誤

❌The referee called the game.' (if meaning commentary).
✅The referee officiated the game.
💡referees make rulings (sense 14), they don't provide commentary.

11. to ask or order a person to make their way to your location, using your voice, a

11.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

叫來；召喚

請或命令某人到你所在的地方

to ask or order a person to make their way to your location, using your voice, a telephone, or a message delivered through another person.

例句

The nurse called the next patient into the examination room at the clinic.

護士叫下一位病人進入診療室。

call + person + into + place

Christopher's mother called him downstairs for dinner when the food was ready.

Christopher 的媽媽叫他下樓吃飯，說飯菜已經準備好了。

同義詞
  • summon

    more formal, often suggests official or formal authority

  • send for

    implies you send someone else to bring the person; you don't directly call to them

反義詞

文法句型

call + person + to + place

call + person + to-infinitive

call + for + person/thing

be called + to + place

用法筆記

Can be used for people, animals, or emergency services. When used for summoning emergency services (ambulance, fire brigade), the construction is normally passive: '[service] was called to [location].' For pets, directional particles (back, over, away) are common.

常見錯誤

❌I called him coming.
✅I called him to come.
💡after 'call' meaning summon, the complement is a to-infinitive or a prepositional phrase, not a present participle.

12. to go and see someone at their home or workplace for a brief social or professio

12.動詞不及物B1
釋義

拜訪；探望

短暫造訪某人或某地（尤用於英式英語）

to go and see someone at their home or workplace for a brief social or professional stop.

例句

Aoi called on her grandmother every Sunday afternoon after church.

Aoi 每個星期天下午做完禮拜後都會去探望祖母。

call + on + person (social visit)

The insurance agent called at our house to discuss the new policy options.

保險業務員到我們家拜訪，討論新的保單方案。

call + at + place (professional visit)

同義詞
  • visit

    more general, can be any length of stay; 'call' implies a short visit

  • stop by

    informal, American English, same meaning

  • drop in

    informal, suggests unplanned visit

文法句型

call + on + person

call + at + place

call + in + to see + person

用法筆記

Primarily British English. In American English, 'visit' or 'stop by' is more common. The specific preposition changes the nuance: 'call on + person' = social visit, 'call at + place' = brief professional errand, 'call in' = informal drop-by.

常見錯誤

❌I called my friend' (meaning visited).
✅I called on my friend
💡'call' without 'on' means phone (sense 3) or shout (sense 7). Add 'on' to signal a visit.

13. to officially decide that a meeting, election, strike, or similar event will hap

13.動詞及物C1
釋義

召開；舉行

正式決定舉行會議、選舉等

to officially decide that a meeting, election, strike, or similar event will happen at a particular time

例句

The teachers' union called a strike after months of failed negotiations with the school board.

教師工會在與校董會談判數月失敗後，宣布發動罷工。

call + strike (action event)

The president called a press conference to address the growing concerns about public health.

總統召開記者會，回應民眾對公共衛生日益增加的擔憂。

同義詞
  • convene

    more formal; typically used for meetings or assemblies in formal writing

  • declare

    broader; can be used for states (peace, independence) while 'call' is restricted to events

  • announce

    focuses on the act of telling people; 'call' implies the decision itself, not just the announcement

反義詞
  • cancel

    to decide that a planned event will not happen

文法句型

call + object

用法筆記

Object must be an event noun (strike, meeting, election, vote, press conference, session, hearing). Frequently used in news and formal announcements.

常見錯誤

❌The boss called a dinner for the team.
✅The boss called a meeting for the team.
💡This sense requires a formal/official event, not a casual social gathering; use 'arranged a dinner' instead.
❌She called a talk with her friend.
✅She called a press conference to address the media.
💡'call an event' implies an official or institutional announcement, not a personal arrangement.

14. during a game, an official such as a referee or umpire makes an authoritative de

14.動詞及物B2
釋義

判定

裁判在比賽中做出判定的行為

during a game, an official such as a referee or umpire makes an authoritative decision about a player's action or a shot — for instance, ruling that a runner is out, the ball went out of bounds, or a rule was broken

例句

The referee called a foul on the defender for pushing during the corner kick.

裁判判罰防守球員在角球時推人犯規。

call a foul on [player] for [action]

With the score tied, the umpire called the runner out at second base.

在平手的情況下，裁判判決跑者在二壘出局。

同義詞
  • rule

    used in both sports and legal contexts; broader than 'call'

  • judge

    stresses the evaluation aspect; used more in competitions like diving or gymnastics

文法句型

call + object + adjective (complement)

call + object + adverbial

用法筆記

Frequently followed by an adjective complement describing the ruling (call someone out, call the ball in/out). Subject must be a sports official (referee, umpire, linesperson, judge). The direct object is either the action (foul, violation) or the player/ball being ruled on.

常見錯誤

❌The referee called a player foul.
✅The referee called a foul on the player.
💡The adjective goes after the object or the foul is the direct object.

❌ 'He called the runner out, but the crowd disagreed.' (no issue, correct) — This pattern is correct; 'call + object + adjective' (call + the runner + out).

15. to say what you think will happen before the final outcome is known — for exampl

15.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

預測

預先說出對結果的判斷

to say what you think will happen before the final outcome is known — for example, guessing the winner of a race, where the stock market is heading, or whether a coin flip lands on heads or tails

例句

The financial analysts called the market downturn three months before it happened.

金融分析師早在市場下跌的三個月前就預測到了這波跌勢。

call + object (prediction)

Before the coin toss, Hyun called heads and watched it land tails up.

在擲硬幣之前，Hyun 猜了正面，結果看到硬幣反面朝上。

同義詞
  • predict

    more common in formal or scientific contexts; 'call' is more conversational

  • forecast

    used especially for weather or economic trends; slightly more formal

文法句型

call + object

call + that-clause

to call (intransitive)

用法筆記

Common in sports broadcasting, political commentary, and financial analysis. Can be used intransitively (It's too early to call). The coin-tossing sub-sense (He called heads) follows the same pattern but is specific to that context.

常見錯誤

❌I called that it would rain, and it did.' (This is grammatically correct but sounds odd with 'that-clause' in informal speech.)
✅I called rain for today, and I was right.
💡The direct-object pattern is more natural.
❌She called the exam hard before she saw it.' (Ambiguous — could sound like sense 5, 'consider')
✅She predicted the exam would be hard.
💡Use 'predict' for clarity about future outcomes.

call — 名詞